Distributor signal for typographical machines



NOV. 29, I H R. D 2,138,785

DISTRIBUTOR SIGNAL: FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL MACHINES Filed Feb. 17, 1938 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 29, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DISTRIBUTOR SIGNAL FOR TYPOGRAPHI- GAL MACHINES Application February 17, 1938, Serial No. 191,074

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in typographical machines or line composing and slug casting machines of the general class disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 436,532 granted September 16, 1890, and it relates more particularly to machines of this class which are equipped with a plurality of magazinescontaining respectively matrices of difierent fonts or faces any one of which, by shifting the magazines, may be brought into operative position, distributing mechanism being provided to return the matrices to the magazine which at the time is in operative position.

In the operation of such machines it is essential that all of the matrices drawn from any given magazine in the composing of the lines be returned to such magazine before any change of magazines is made, as by removal of the magazine in use or by shifting of the column or group of magazines to bring a different one into operative position, since any premature changing of magazines will result either in distribution of the matrices of the font in use into the wrong magazine or will result in damage to such matrices as have not yet cleared through the distributor as Well as to the magazines or other parts of the distributing mechanism. The operator of the machine must therefore be very attentive and careful to await completion of the distribution of the matrices from the last matrix line into the magazine in use before shifting or changing magazines.

It has been previously proposed to provide mechanical means to prevent operation of the magazine shifting mechanism until distribution of the current or last composed line is completed, and it has also been proposed to provide a visual electrically operated signal to indicate when all of the matrices of the current or last composed line have cleared the main distributor bar. However, such mechanical devices as have been previously proposed are objectionable because they require complicated mechanism which cannot be conveniently adapted to the machine for various reasons. Such electrical devices as have been previously proposed, while they avoid the complications of the previously proposed mechanical devices, because of, their simplicity and ease of adaptation to the machine have, previous to the present invention, been limited to the indication of the presence of matrices only in that portion of the distributing mechanism kng as the main distributor bar. Such electrical or visual indicators as previously proposed, for example, have not taken into account the presence frequently of a line of matrices on the second elevator bar and about to be shifted into the distributor box which is in advance of the main distributor bar, and such previous proposals did not provide against shifting of the magazine in use after distribution of a preceding matrix line and before the next matrix line in or about to enter the distributor box has reached the point of delivery onto the main distributor bar.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a signal which will avoid the defects or objections of such previously proposed devices, it providing a signal which is preferably visual and electrically controlled or operated, and which is capable of indicating the presence of matrices in the course of distribution in both the distributor box and on the main distributor bar. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a light signal is provided which is located in some convenient position, as on the usual distributor bracket, where it can be easily seen by the operator seated in his usual position at the keyboard of the machine, the light signal being fed or controlled by two distinct electrical circuits one of which causes illumination of the light solong as any matrices are in the distributor box and the other of which causes illumination of the light so long as there are any matrices on the main distributor bar. The former circuit is controlled by a part of the machine associated with the distributor box and the matrix line therein, such as the usual socalled distributor shifter slide, while the latter circuit is controlled by contact between matrices on the main distributor bar and the usual distributor screws, the main distributor bar being electrically insulated from the rest of the machine for the purpose of the present invention. The arrangement is such that when no matrices are in course of. distribution, both circuits will be open and the light signal will be extinguished.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in certain improvements and combinations and arrangements of parts all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the features of novelty being pointed out more particularly in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the upper portion of a typographical machine of the class referred to, showing the matrix distributing mechanism to which the present invention is applied;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view in elevation, partly in section, of the left hand end of the distributing mechanism shown in Fig. 1, showing in detail the switch for controlling the electric circuit which is responsive to the presence of matrices in the distributor box;

Figure 3 is a detail vertical section taken transversely through the main distributor bar showing the manner of mounting and electrically in sulating it from the rest of. the machine;

Figure 4 is a detail vertical section taken on the line 4& in Fig. 1; and

Figure 5 is a diagram of the electrical circuits and their parts and their connections to the machine.

Similar parts are designated by the same reference characters in the several figures.

In the accompanying drawing, the invention is shown applied to a typographical machine of the general class hereinbefore referred to, the parts shown being those usual in machines of such class. As shown, I represents the upper portion of the usual distributor bracket which supports the distributing mechanism in the usual way, 2 represents the distributor shifter slide whichis spring operated at the appropriate times under control of a cam on the machine, in the usual and well known way, to advance the matrix lines, after the casts have been made therefrom, to the main distributor bar, this slide having a finger 2 thereon which is engageable with the line to advance it to the main distributor bar, the shifter slide being mounted to reciprocate in a guideway 3, and 4 indicates the shifter slide operating lever and link. 5 indicates the usual so-called second elevator which receives the matrix line after a cast has been made therefrom and elevates it to the distributor box, 6 designates the usual distributor screws which operate to advance the matrices along the main distributor bar I while the matrices hang therefrom by their teeth which engage the usual combination ribs on the distributor bar, 8 designates theeusual distributor box to which the matrix line is elevated by the second elevator and through which the matrix line is advanced by the finger 2 to the main distributor bar, 9 designates the usual matrix lifting lever which operates the matrix lifter 9 to lift the matrices M successively into position to engage the main distributor bar, it designates the usual distributor box bar which engages the teeth in the matrices and supports them during their ad.- vance through the distributor box, ll designates one of the matrix magazines, and i2 designates the distributor driving pulley, belt and clutch. Since the construction and mode of operation of these parts of the machine are well known to those familiar with machines of this class, more detailed explanation thereof is believed unnecessary, although it may be stated briefly that the istributor screws rotate to transport matrices supported by their combination teeth onthe ribs of the main distributor bar until they reach predetermined points at which they drop by gravity from the distributor bar into the particular entrance guides or passageways leading to the appropriate channels of the magazine in which the respective matrices belong. It will be understood that the machine to which the invention is applied may be of any well known style or type provided with a plurality of magazines ll arranged as usual in superposed relation and on an incline, the magazines being shiftable for example as a unit to bring one or another magazine into operative relation with the distributing mechanism adjacent to their upper or matrix entrance ends and with matrix, assembling de vices adjacent to their lower ends, and it will be further understood that the invention is applicable to such machines, whether equipped with single or with plural distributing or assembling devices.

In carrying out the invention according to the preferred embodiment thereof, an electrical circuit is provided which is operative to indicate, as for example by the lighting of a lamp, the presence of matrices in the distributor box, and another circuit is provided to indicate the presence of matrices on the main distributor bar, such indications enabling the operator of the machine to know by observation when it is safe to shift or change magazines and to thus avoid damaging of matrices or magazines or the distribution of matrices into an improper magazine and resulting in what is commonly called a wrong font which causes considerable annoyance, loss of time and expense to correct.

The electrical circuit for indicating the presence of matrices in the distributor box comprises, in addition to a lamp or equivalent signal and a source of electrical energy as hereinafter explained, a switch mountedin any convenient position as for example on the distributor bracket I by means of screws 13, the switch comprising contact arms i4 and i5 which are separated electrically by a layer or plate- It of electrical insulating material. The contact arm M is of rigid constructionand is insulated from the bracket i by bushings I'i composed of fiber or other suitable electrical insulating material. The contact arm i5 is composed of resilient or yieldable material in order that it may be sprung away from the contact M on the arm E4 to open the switch, which will occur when the machine is idle or while there are no matrices in the distributor box. Thus, as best shown in Fig. 2, when the distributor shifter slide 2 is in its normal or idle position, as indicated by the dotted lines in this figure, it rests against the usual stop pin l8, and by engagement of the inner or forward end of this slide with an adjustable screw I9 on the contact arm 15, the latter will be held in the dotted line position shown in this figure and the switch will then be opened. However, immediately upon operation of the shifter' slide ,2 in the usual manner by the lever and link connections 4 to retract the slide 2 toward the left in Fig. 2 to receive a matrix line and to shift it into the distributor box, the switch closes due to the springing of the contact arm l5 into the full line position shown in Fig. 2 and into engagement with the contact M on the contact arm i l.

The electrical circuit for indicating the presence of matrices on the main distributor bar comprises, in addition to the lamp or equivalent signal and a source of energy as hereinafter explained, the main distributor bar "I which is electrically insulated from the rest of the machineby layers of electrically insulating material 20 which may be interposed between the main distributor bar and the portion of the distributor bracket to which it is secured by the screws 2!, and this circuit also includes the usual distributor screws 6 which are in the usual metallic and electrical conducting relation to the machine frame, and a matrix M while travelling along the main distributor bar 7 under the influence of the rotating distributor screws, the matrix serving" as an electrical connection between the insulated main distributor bar 1 and the distributor screws and thus completing this electrical circuit.

The indicator employed is preferably av visual indicator such as. an electrical lamp, and may be a glow lamp of the neon type or it may be an ordinary tungsten filament. or other incandescent lamp. The lamp or other signal serves to indicate the presence of matrices either in the distributor box or on the main distributor bar, the signal or visual indicator being shown. in the present instance as a lamp 22 which is mounted on a suitable bracket 23, the latter being secured to the distributor bracket 1 in a position where it is visible to the operator occupying his usual position at the front of the machine, the lamp being supported in a suitable socket or receptacle 24 having wiring terminals 25. The lamp shown as an example of a visual indicator is of the neon type andv preferably operates on v volts or other suitable service voltage, but for the sake of safety, a low voltage circuit is preferably employed between the main source of current such as the usual service or lighting supply line available in the composing room and the lamp or indicator. Such a circuit arrangement is shown iagrammatically in Fig. 5 wherein alternating current from the usual service or lighting supply line at a voltage of for example 110 volts is fed to the primary winding 26 of a stepdown transformer 25, the secondary winding 25* of which furnishes a lower voltage, as for example 8 volts, to the primary or low voltage winding 2% of the lamp transformer 27 which is of the step-up type, the secondary or high voltage winding 2'? of this transformer furnishing a current of for example Hi1 volts to the lamp 22. One terminal of the secondary winding 26 of transformer 26 is connected by conductor 23 to one terminal of the primary or high voltage winding Zli of the transformer 2?, the other terminal of this winding being grounded on the frame of the machine as at 29, and the other terminal of the secondary winding 26 of transformer 25 is connected by the conductor 3i to the contact arm M which is grounded on the machine frame through arm I5 and ground 33 and also to the main distributor bar 7 which is insulated from the machine frame, the grounding of the distributor screws 5 on the frame of the machine being indicated at 32. It will be understood that the ground terminals 29, 3B and 32 are all common to one another and are all connected to the main frame of the machine and that the distributor bar l and switch contact arm I 3, as previously pointed out, are electrically insulated from the main frame of the machine.

The operation of the signal applied to the machine as hereinbefore described is as follows:

Assuming that there are no matrices on the main distributor bar l, in which event the matrix M in Fig. 5. would not be present, and that there are no matrices in the distributor box, so that the switch contact arm i5 will be held in its circuit opening or dotted line position shown in Fig. 2 by the shifter slide 2, current induced in the secondary winding 26 of transformer 25 cannot pass to ground 31? through the switch comprising the contact arms i4 and i5 since this circuit will then be open, and current induced in the secondary winding 26 of transformer 26 cannot pass to ground 32 through the circuit comprising the distributor screws 6 and distributor bar 1 since this circuit will be open in the absence of a matrix on the distributor bar. The primary winding 21 of the lamp transformer 21 will therefore receive no current from the transformer 26 and the lamp will not be lighted. When however a line. of matrices is elevated to the distributor in the usual manner by the second elevator 5 and the distributor shifter slide 2 as usual has moved to the left (Fig. 2) to shift this line to the right of the second elevator bar and into the distributor box 8, the switch arms M and it will engage. one another and close the switch. The closing of this. switch immediately causes current to be induced. in the secondary or low voltage winding. 26. of the transformer 25, due to the grounding of one terminal of this se"- ondary winding at 3B, and the current from the winding 26 will pass by conductor 28 to the primary winding 2?. of the transformer 2?, this winding of this transformer being grounded at 29.. A complete circuit is thus established, indicating the presence of matrices in the distributor box, the lamp 22 being illuminated by current induced in the secondary or high voltage winding Zl of the transformer El. When all of the matrices M have cleared out of the distributor box through the usual lifting of the matrices one by one by the usual matrix lift 9 the shifter slide 2 returns to its normal position against the stop pin. 5 as indicated by the dotted lines. in Fig. 2, the slide engaging the screw 39 on the switch contact arm 55 and thereby moving the latter into its dotted line position and opening the circuit through the switch, and when the switch thus opens, the particular circuit just described will of course be open and the lamp will be extinguished.

However, the matrices fed from the distributor box onto the main distributor bar '5 complete another circuit which maintains the illumination of the lamp to indicate the presence of matrices on the main distributor bar. This latter circuit, which includes the distributor screws 5 and main distributor bar l, is fed by current induced in the secondary or low voltage winding 25 of transformer 26, this current passing through conductor 28 to the primary or low voltage winding Z'i of transformer 2'2, the winding 21* being grounded at 29, and this circuit is completed through ground 32, distributor screws G connected thereto, matrices M, main distributor bar l and conductor 3i back to the other terminal of the secondary or low voltage winding 26 of transformer 25. After the last matrix has cleared off the main distributor bar 3, the circuit just described will open, due to the absence of any current conducting medium between the distributor bar 7 and the screws and as the lamp is thus extinguished, the operator will know by observation that it is safe to shift or change magazines without danger or damage to matrices or magazines or the possibility of a wrong font.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a typographical machine having a matrix distributor comprising a distributor box to receive matrix lines, a distributor bar for distributing the matrices to the magazines, and a member movable from a normal position to a position for advancing the matrices from the distributor box to the distributor bar, a signal, and controlling circuits therefor, one of said circuits having a switch therein normally retained in open condition by said matrix advancing member but adapted to close upon movement of said member from normal position and during the matrix advancing operation of said member, the other of said circuits being normally open but closed by matrices on the distributor bar while said switch is in either open or closed condition.

2. In a typographical machine having a matrix distributor comprising a distributor box, a distributor bar, and a shifter slide for advancing matrices from the distributor box to the distributor bar, a signal, and controlling electric circuit means therefor including a switch controlled as to its open and closed positions by the shifter slide to place said circuit means in condition when said switch is closed to render the signal operative during the operation of the shifter slide, said circuit means being also placed in condition by matrices on the distributor bar to render the signal operative irrespective of the position of said switch.

3. In a typographical machine having a matrix distributor comprising matrix line receiving and matrix distributing portions, a signal, and means for rendering said signal operative during the presence of matrices in either of said portions of the distributor comprising a step-down transformer having its primary winding connected to a source of electric current supply, a stepup transformerhaving its primary winding connected to the secondary winding of the stepdown transformer and having the signal connected in its secondary winding, and means for completing the circuit for the secondary winding of the step-down transformer and the primary winding of the step-up transformer in accordance with the presence of matrices in one or the other of said portions of the distributor.

4. In a typographical machine having a matrix distributor comprising a distributor box, a distributor bar, and a shifter slide for advancing matrices from the distributor box to the distributor bar, a signal, and controlling electric circuit means therefor including a switch the contacts of which have means for engaging them when the shifter slide commences its operation to render the signal operative, the contacts of said switch being disengageable by the shifter slide after the latter has completed its operation.

5. In a typographical machine having a matrix distributor comprising a distributor box, a distributor bar, and a shifter slide for advancing matrices from the distributor box to the distributor bar, a signal, and a controlling electric circuit therefor including a switch one of the contacts of which is yieldable and mounted in the path of travel of the shifter slide, said yieldable contact automatically engaging the cooperating contact of the switch to close said circuit when the shifter slide is retracted and being automatically disengaged from the cooperating contact of the switch by the shifter slide to open said circuit when the shifter slide completes its matrix advancing operation.

6. In a typographical machine having a matrix distributor comprising a distributor box, a distributor bar and a member movable automatically during each cycle of operation of the machine from a normal position to a position for advancing matrix lines from the distributor box to the distributor bar, a signal, and electric circuits for said signal, one of said circuits having a controlling switch therein which is normally open but is closed by operation of said member, and the other circuit being controlled directly by the matrices serving as elements to close and open said circuit according to their presence or absence on the distributor bar and irrespective of the presence or absence of matrices in the distributor box.

'7. In a typographical machine having a frame, a matrix distributor comprising a distributor box, distributor screws electrically connected to the machine frame, a distributor bar and a switch contact both electrically insulated from the machine frame, a device operative periodically dur- I ing each cycle of operation of the machine to connect said switch contact to the machine frame, a signal, and electric circuit means for rendering said signal operative to indicate the presence of matrices in different portions of the distributor, comprising step-down and step-up transformers, the high voltage windings of said transformers being connected respectively to an electric supply line of standard voltage and to said signal operable on a like voltage, the low voltage windings of said transformers being connected in a circuit including the machine frame serving as a common ground and the distributor bar and said switch contact and being completed to render the signal operative on the one hand by matrices on the distributor bar contacting with the distributor screws and on the other hand by the operation of said periodically operative device,

8. In a typographical machine having aframe, a matrix distributor comprising a distributor bar electrically insulated from the machine frame, a distributor box and distributor screws, and a shifter slide non-insulated with respect to the machine frame and periodically operated during each cycle of operation of the machine to advance matrices from the distributor box to the distributor bar, a signal, and separately operable electric circuits for said signal connected in parallel with a source of electric current supply and connected also to the machine frame, said circuits comprising switch contacts one insulated from the machine frame and the other connected thereto and controlled by the shifter slide to render the signal operative when matrices are present in the distributor box, the distributor bar and screws rendering the signal operative when matrices are present on the distributor bar,

HERMAN R. FREUND 

